Broken rudder A YACHT in trouble to the south of the Calf Islands, off the southern Irish coast, was firing red flares. They were sighted and reported to the honorary secretary of Baltimore lifeboat station at 1320 on the afternoon of Friday September 21, 1984. He ordered animmediate launch of the lifeboat, knowing that the very strong wind would be blowing the casualty on to the dangerous Toorane rocks.

Ten minutes later Baltimore's 48ft 6in Oakley class lifeboat, Charles Henry, was launched with Coxswain Cristie Collins in command. Although visibility was good, there was a north-westerly near gale, force 7, blowing and the sea was rough. At 1358 the lifeboat crew sighted the yacht; she was to the west of Sherkin Island and drifting towards the rocks, her anchor was not holding. She had five people on board and had been sailing between the Calf Islands in company with another yacht when her rudder had broken. The other yacht attempted to tow her clear but wasunsuccessful because of restricted manoeuvrability.

Despite the rough conditions, the lifeboat was able to pass a tow and the yacht was taken into the safety of Baltimore Harbour. Back at her station at 1530, the lifeboat was rehoused, ready again for service at 1600..